Gap between elections could be a headache for candidates

The 41-day gap between the Republican primary for candidates seeking elected positions in Dundee Township and the consolidated election on April 7 could cause a headache for candidates and village officials.

Some municipalities within Dundee Township allow campaign signs to be posted no more than 30 days before an election, so candidates who are successful in the Feb. 24 primary could be forced to take signs down for about 11 days before reposting them 30 days before April 7.

To overcome the code enforcement nightmare, West Dundee trustees will consider allowing all candidates to display signs for 41 days, instead of 30 days per village ordinance.

"This will create an enforcement nightmare," said West Dundee Village Manager Joe Cavallaro. "The problem is the elections are not usually this close. This seems like the most equitable solution."

Other options include allowing opposing candidates in races that were contested during the primary election to put up elections signs starting Feb. 25. But candidates in all other elections that were not contested in the primary would be required to work with the 30-day time frame.

Or the village could require primary candidates to remove their signs within two days of the primary election, and have all candidates for any office or referendum place their signs again from March 8.

"Those who are not in the primary can say that the other candidates had their signs up for longer and call an unfair advantage," Cavallaro said. "This would be more fair."

Carpentersville managed to avoid the problem because its village code allows campaign signs to go up no more than 60 days before an election.

But other villages, like Sleepy Hollow, Algonquin and East Dundee, will enforce their 30-day ordinance. Fines range from an administrative ticket to a $50 per sign fine.

"The ordinance says no more than 30 days before an election, so candidates will need to remove their signs," Sleepy Hollow Village President Stephen Pickett said.

That requirement could cause problems, said Mike Bielak, a Republican candidate for Dundee Township assessor.

"It is tough enough putting signs up in the winter because you have to drill holes in the ground to put them up," said Bielak, an Algonquin resident. "It is not an easy venture. It will be a logistical hassle to put the signs up, take them down and then turn them back out again."